50 Hours in New York: coffee, cocktails and Cronuts in the city that never sleeps

50 Best Editorial

01/11/2017

Header: the bar at Del Posto

With just over 48 hours in one of the most vibrant cities on earth, it would be impossible to do justice to all the essential eating and drinking experiences. But with a little planning and a well-prepared appetite, it is possible to take in some of New York’s classics, from coffee and doughnuts to pastrami sandwiches and luxury fine dining.

One of the most central and stylish places to stay in the heart of New York City, The NoMad is an ideal base for gastronomes, with a food and beverage operation overseen by none other than Daniel Humm and Will Guidara, the dream team behind Eleven Madison Park. As such, there are ample dining opportunities in various spaces throughout the hotel. Humm’s famous whole-roasted chicken for two with black truffle is highly recommended, while a breakfast in the sunlit Atrium can include eggs benedict, oatmeal or a full NoMad Breakfast with bacon or sausage. Rooms in the turn-of-the-century Beaux-Arts building are inspired by Parisian apartments, with mahogany writing desks, exclusive Argan bath amenities and walk-in showers and views of the Atrium or Manhattan.

Not for nothing was Dominique Ansel voted World’s Best Pastry Chef this year – the Cronut king is now globally famous for his half-doughnut, half-croissant creation and his Frozen S’mores are just as moreish. Customers wait around the block each morning as Cronut supplies are limited, but there are plenty of other sweet and savoury delights to enjoy once they run out, including Cookie Shots and the DKA, an original take on a Breton bun and a filled-choux indulgence called Paris-NY. Drinks include the flowering hot chocolate and coffee from La Colombe.

Established in 1888 in the Lower East Side, no-frills Jewish deli Katz’s is a family-run operation welcoming thousands of visitors each week, but it is no less worth a visit for its popularity. Take a ticket at the door and find a seat in the cavernous dining hall surrounded by memorabilia and photos of famous customers, then order the classic Katz’s pastrami hot sandwich, hand carved to your specifications and smoked to perfection. Add a side of round knishes, latkes or matzo ball soup then sit back and take in the organised chaos.

Restaurateur Mario Batali’s refined Italian dining spot Del Posto has had a makeover more than 10 years after its original opening in 2015 by Batali and partners Joe and Lidia Bastianich. The classic restaurant is now more luxurious than ever and a perfect match for newly appointed executive chef Melissa J. Rodriguez’s exquisite food. The eight-course Captain’s tasting menu takes in dishes such as burnt beef ribeye, vitello tonnato and freshly made orecchiette. The experience might end with a chocolate bocce ball filled with chocolate truffles.

Opened only in 2014 on the 100th anniversary of the store with the same name, Russ and Daughters Café has now become a favourite with New Yorkers and foreigners for its hearty breakfasts and brunches. Bagels and lox are the speciality here and there’s a huge variety of breads, hot and cold smoked fish, potato latkes, caviar and eggs. The menu is served all day and there are cocktails including Breakfast Martinis, gin-based Lower East Sides and Schmoozers. Russ and Daughters also has free live music events on the last Thursday of each month.

A hit with vegans and non-vegans alike, chef and cookbook author Chloe Coscarelli’s casual dining spot has had queues around the block since the day it opened in 2015. Vegan fast food at its best, highlights include the guac burgers, air-baked sweet potato fries, beet ketchup and spicy Thai salad with apricot-sriracha glazed tempeh and fresh juices. Pooches can also get a piece of the action with pupcakes and house-made organic peanut butter dog bones, while next door is Sweets by Chloe, well worth a visit for its three-layer cakes, cookies and cinnamon rolls. Since the original West Village branch launch, By Chloe has expanded to several other locations in New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Providence and there are plans to open next year in London.

Of all the places to pick up great doughnuts in New York City, Doughnut Plant is among the very best. Located within the Chelsea Hotel, with another branch on the Lower East Side and two in Brooklyn, the doughnut and coffee shop sells all-natural, organic-when-available, seasonal and daily fresh goods with homemade jam fillings. Highlights include the Brooklyn Blackout Cake doughnut and the vanilla bean and blackberry jam filled square, while specials might include yeast-raised pumpkin and spiced pepitas. Drinks include juices pressed in-house, milk from Battenkill Valley Creamery in New York State and coffee from Toby’s Estate.

Keith McNally’s 20-year-old French restaurant Balthazar has become an iconic New York dining destination for steak frites and grilled fish and meat. The always-busy brasserie is an ideal spot for big brunches, business meetings, romantic dinners and special occasions and the extensive menus offer everything from eggs meurette to oysters, clams and cocktails. There’s also a bakery selling French breads, pastries and gateaux, and since 2012 Balthazar has an offshoot over the pond in London.

While sister restaurant Eleven Madison Park was voted No.1 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants this year, the The NoMad Bar came in at No.3 in The World’s 50 Best Bars, making it the Best Bar in North America. In multiple spaces within the hotel including the original Elephant Bar, the Library and the eponymous NoMad Bar itself, guests can enjoy stylish cocktails made by talented beverage director Leo Robitschek. Aside from an extensive menu of creations including the Venezuelan rum-based Hair Trigger, there are also large-format drinks serving eight to 10 people, and a bar food menu with dishes such as chicken pot pie with black truffles and foie gras, and Daniel Humm’s legendary bacon-wrapped Humm Dog.

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All of the restaurants and hotels featured in the series accept payment with Diners Club, and can be found on this map of New York. Stay tuned for the next destination in the series, 50 Hours in Bangkok, coming next month.

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